This Classic Rustic Bolognese Lasagna recipe is the real deal. Deep in flavor and about as comforting a dish as you will ever find.
Serve this with lots of love, and be prepared for lots of love in return. This recipe is authentic and all the components are from scratch.
The fresh spinach pasta is such a nice touch, but you can go with regular egg pasta, too. Making it from scratch puts this dish over the top!
The layers are simple and straightforward, but so perfect. Making the bechamel sauce is the delicious glue that holds this authentic lasagna together.
This authentic style of lasagna is different from the Italian-American version which is usually loaded with cheese, mozzarella, and ricotta.
Don’t get us wrong, we love the cheesy version, too. In fact, you’ve just got to take a look at our recipe. We call it our Classic Meat Lasagna.
There is just something so heart-warming and satisfying about homemade Classic Rustic Bolognese Lasagna. This has been an all-time favorite in our house for many, many years.
There is something therapeutic about making a lasagna completely from scratch.
And folks, this does not disappoint in the least!
Now, let’s make this Classic Rustic Bologense Lasagna recipe!
Rustic Lasagna With Fresh Spinach Pasta
Ingredients
FOR THE BOLOGNESE
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- ⅛ lb prosciutto finely chopped
- 1 cup carrot chopped
- 1 cup celery chopped
- 1 cup yellow onion chopped
- 1½ lb ground beef
- ½ lb ground pork
- ½ lb ground veal
- ½ cup red wine
- 1 28 oz can San Marzano tomatoes chopped in food processor, juice reserved
- 2 teaspoon Kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon dried basil
FOR THE BÉCHAMEL SAUCE
- 3 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 4 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 2 cups hot milk
- 1 large white onion halved
- 1 large bay leaf
- 2 cloves
- salt and pepper to tasted
FOR THE ASSEMBLY
- Fresh fresh spinach pasta cooked
- Freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese about 1 cup
Instructions
- MAKE THE BOLOGNESE SAUCE:
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat
- Add the prosciutto, and cook for 5 minutes
- Add the carrots, celery, and onion...cook until soft...about 15 minutes
- Add the beef, pork and veal, cook until almost no longer pink
- Add the wine...cook for about 4 minutes
- Drain off the fat through a colander, or fine mesh sieve, Add back to the pot.
- Add the tomatoes and their juice
- Mix well. Add remaining spices.
- Simmer over low-medium heat for about 3 hours, stirring occasionally
- Cook the fresh spinach pasta
- MAKE THE BECHAMEL SAUCE:
- Take the onion half and use two cloves to stick through a bay leave to adhere to the flat side of the onion.
- Heat the butter in a medium-sized, heavy pan
- Add flour, and whisk for about 2 minutes, to form lightly browned roux
- Slowly add the heated milk
- Add the onion, with the bay leaf/cloves facing down.
- Whisking the milk around the onion continuously until thickened, about 5 minutes.
- ASSEMBLE AND FINISH OFF THE LASAGNA:
- Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees:
- Start with a thin layer of bolognese sauce at the bottom of a lasagna pan
- Add a layer of pasta noodles
- Spoon a layer of the bechamel sauce
- Sprinkle about ¼ cup of the grated parm-reg cheese over the sauce
- Add another layer of pasta
- Add another layer of grated parm-reg cheese
- Add another layer of sauce
- Add another layer of pasta
- Add another layer of bechamel sauce
- Add another layer of grated parm-reg cheese
- Add another layer of pasta
- Add another thin layer of sauce and then sprinkle more cheese to top.
- Bake for 1 hour, uncovered.
- Let rest for at least 30 minutes.
Nutrition
Michelle says
Kris would you clarify how the ricotta cheese mixtures is used in the dish. I see it in the ingredient and assembly list but can’t figure out where I’m supposed to add it in the description of the layers.
Kris Longwell says
Hi Michelle! Our deepest apologies! We often go back and make tweaks to recipes. This recipe is a traditional Bologna preparation, which does NOT include a ricotta mixture. We’ve removed that ingredient from the recipe. However, if you do prefer the ricotta mixture, just add it on top of each layer of the parmesan cheese. You might also like our Classic Meat Lasagna recipe, which definitely includes ricotta. Thanks for the heads up!! All the best, Kris & Wesley
Amy Ecolino says
Kris, Lasagna is my absolute favorite dish. My mother always said that it takes a lot of love to make it, and you clearly poured your heart and soul into this dish because it’s amazing!
Kathleen says
This Lasagna was amazing! You can taste every flavor and how they complement each other. The bolognese sauce and the Homemade bechamel sauce are what make the dish. Every bite is a reminder of how good this dish really is. Awesome week night dinner idea!